Database Users

[Q] Downgrade from 3.2 to 3.1 A500

Hi,
I originally had 3.1 on my device with the A500 OTA firmware, it was rooted originally. I then updated to the 7.something 3.2 OTA for the A500. I wanted to downgrade so I tried installing a lower one using the sd card method. Well needless to say it didn't take and the tablet wouldn't boot. So I tried basically all of the roms on the ROM list page. None of them worked except the A501 3.2 version 4.something. This one I can't root either. I'm guessing it isn't possible get root at this point until a root hack becomes available to install clockworkmod?
Also will running a lower version number system for the A501 cause problems on the A500?
Thanks in advance!

If you look at the ROM list page there's now a couple of 3.2 updates for the A500, if you flash one of those you'll at least be back on the correct firmware for your device. Unfortunately I have yet to find any way to either downgrade to 3.1 or to get root on 3.2 ... so for now I think you're stuck on 3.2 without root.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that someone with better knowledge of such things than I do will have a solution for 3.2 root sometime soon!

Go to this thread and follow its instruction: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878

eksasol said:
Go to this thread and follow its instruction: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those instructions do not work for downgrading from 3.2 to 3.1 the tablet will be left un-bootable.
You can however use those instructions to upgrade to 3.2 from 3.1

solution
vas sur ce lien, c'est la seule solution pour le moment je crois! :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1276227

Merci beaucoup. j'espere que ca functionne avec mon a500.

The 3.2 OTA update uses a different boot loader. If you perform the Acer update, you are stuck and loose root until someone cracks the new boot loader. Who knows how long that will be, but hopefully soon. Once you get root access back, install clockworks and do a full backup before you ever do another update so you can always restore your old ROM if something like that happens again.
It happened to dozens of people on this Forum. I am Glad I read about it before it happened to me. I upgraded to 3.2 by flashing Taboonay 2.1 which used a different boot loader.
Good luck. I hope they crack it soon.
Edit: Actually, someone started a post with instructions on downgrading and getting root back if you already did the OTA update to 3.2. Look at the thread "Root your A500 after 3.2 OTA update and losing root.."

The link provided ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1276227 ) is successful in downgrading. Thanks once again.

You might want to check this method first. It uses an official Acer 3.0.1 update with an earlier bootloader (compatible with CWM/itsmagic), that you can root.
This is likely less destructive than rebuilding the ROM from scratch using nvflash.

To be Root, or not to be......

As an Android user, and all the world on apk's made for android, i'm just curious on a point.
Why is there too many applications that need a rooted android phone out there, considering that all firmware after 2.3.2 is non rootable with an apk like gingerbreak?. I know that gingerbrak just breaked an exploit in android to do that, but at thas time, it seems that they patched very well that exploit, so, gingerbreak doesn't work anymore.
Assuming that for the masses is not possible to root phones "on the fly", why are all those companies making a lot of applications just for rooted phones?.
On the other hand, all people knows that an integrated Service pack in a windows installation DVD is more powerful (clean), that one upgraded to SP(x). What about Android OS?. Does a latest IMG firmware pre rooted is more "clean" than a updated (OTA) firmware?...
Just my thinking....

caqo71 said:
Why is there too many applications that need a rooted android phone out there, considering that all firmware after 2.3.2 is non rootable with an apk like gingerbreak?. I know that gingerbrak just breaked an exploit in android to do that, but at thas time, it seems that they patched very well that exploit, so, gingerbreak doesn't work anymore.
Assuming that for the masses is not possible to root phones "on the fly", why are all those companies making a lot of applications just for rooted phones?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to keep into account that :
1/ It's a question of choice. As long as you can get root access on a phone, it's only logical to have apps that benefit that, seeing as they give you control over the phone you wouldn't normally have...
Besides, apps that require root access are not developed for a specific phone, i.e. Arc. It's not the developer's problem if a phone can be easily rooted or not, they just want to give you apps that take advantage of this change.
2/ Obtaining root access on the Arc is not impossible by any means. You can unlock your bootloader and easily root it no matter which 2.3.x you are using. Again, it's a question of choice.
On the other hand, all people knows that an integrated Service pack in a windows installation DVD is more powerful (clean), that one upgraded to SP(x). What about Android OS?. Does a latest IMG firmware pre rooted is more "clean" than a updated (OTA) firmware?...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FOTAs are more or less branded by your carrier with loads of bloatware, so yes, a generic global ftf or img is cleaner than those.
The cleanest though is CM7, as it's based on vanilla Android.
Hope this makes it clearer.

[Q] noob a500 help

hello eveyone,
I'm italin so first of all I apologies for my engish.
I recently bought a second hand a500 dvice. The following is the firware i read in the tablet
kernel: 2.6.36.3+
build number: ACER_A500.7.006.01_COM_GEN1
I would like to know if this one is the last firware for my european tablet or not.
If no, how many update I have to do ? I can update directly to newer or I have do update to the newer updating step by step the previous first ?
The application root explorer is able to give me root permissions or the root permissions are required to install root explorer.
This phantomatic root is secure, I mean after the root the tablet is able to run as before or there could be some mulfuntionality?
Thanks for your answer
Ma poi con il root si hanno conseguenze ? Tipo rallentamenti e malfunzionamenti ?
Grazie.

If you don't have the newest version, and you are running stock, then your tablet would notify you that there is a newer version available. It looks like there are newer versions. I couldn't tell you for sure because I am running a custom ICS on mine, but it would appear there is a 7.014 version that came out in December of 2011. Hopefully someone can elaborate on this statement.
If your tablet it rooted, it will still run the same as before, but I would be a little weary when an application asks for root permissions. If you don't know what you are doing you could mess up your tablet. If you don't understand root and aren't too interested in it I would deny access to your apps that ask for root just to be on the safe side.

update available
im sure update is available for your tab
but i dont know the exact build number
root access doesnt cause any malfunctioning on your device
it just let apps on your tab to access system files
but as said in past post you could mess up your device
so i recommend you to learn about rooting your tab
its sooo helpfull to have it
some apps require root to work
but learn before you do anything to your tab
youll make it a brick if you do sth wrong
and you will find so usefull info on development section of a500 forum and general android forum
search xda and youll find anything you need
have fun

[Q] Towelroot no longer works... ideas?

I'm pretty new to the Android phones. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 tablet about a year ago, and I absolutely love it -- which was the only reason why I considered an Android phone when it came time to upgrade. That might have been a mistake.
The phone I chose was a Galaxy S5 from AT&T.
For many reasons I won't go into (and that many of you probably know) Kitkat is awful. Removing SD card access removed one of the most important reasons that I bought the phone. So, I decided to root the thing.
I read a bunch of info on how to root, and, eventually downloaded and tried to use towelroot only to discover that AT&T/Google have blocked all functionality of that program. My build is, unfortunately, the latest build -- July 22 2014 (or there abouts).
Now, I'm not sure if the phone was given to me with that update -- I only got the thing on Sunday. Maybe it was, maybe not. Dunno. So I have a couple of questions.
If I were to factory reset the phone, would that roll back these "Security" OTA updates that were pushed onto the phone? I'm pretty sure there was at least one after I got the thing. I've spent a fair amount of time setting the phone up, but I'll do it again if a factory reset would allow me to root the phone and return the SD card functions.
Is there a way to push an earlier version of the ROM onto the phone. I'm guessing not, since I think I read that AT&T helpfully locked the bootloader.
Finally, does anyone know of any way to root this device if neither of the two paths I presented above will work?
Thanks for any help. If I can't restore the SD card functionality, I'll probably just return the phone. That would be a bummer because I was really excited about it.

CKR83 said:
I'm pretty new to the Android phones. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 tablet about a year ago, and I absolutely love it -- which was the only reason why I considered an Android phone when it came time to upgrade. That might have been a mistake.
The phone I chose was a Galaxy S5 from AT&T.
For many reasons I won't go into (and that many of you probably know) Kitkat is awful. Removing SD card access removed one of the most important reasons that I bought the phone. So, I decided to root the thing.
I read a bunch of info on how to root, and, eventually downloaded and tried to use towelroot only to discover that AT&T/Google have blocked all functionality of that program. My build is, unfortunately, the latest build -- July 22 2014 (or there abouts).
Now, I'm not sure if the phone was given to me with that update -- I only got the thing on Sunday. Maybe it was, maybe not. Dunno. So I have a couple of questions.
If I were to factory reset the phone, would that roll back these "Security" OTA updates that were pushed onto the phone? I'm pretty sure there was at least one after I got the thing. I've spent a fair amount of time setting the phone up, but I'll do it again if a factory reset would allow me to root the phone and return the SD card functions.
Is there a way to push an earlier version of the ROM onto the phone. I'm guessing not, since I think I read that AT&T helpfully locked the bootloader.
Finally, does anyone know of any way to root this device if neither of the two paths I presented above will work?
Thanks for any help. If I can't restore the SD card functionality, I'll probably just return the phone. That would be a bummer because I was really excited about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For rooting, go there http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2696537
or there http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1980683
Follow tuto or ask here.
You have to give more info (S5 model, firmware...)
Good luck
Franky

Rooting Help?
fgth90 said:
For rooting, go there http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2696537
or there http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1980683
Follow tuto or ask here.
You have to give more info (S5 model, firmware...)
Good luck
Franky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see that there are tutes here, and am wading through the 50+ pages of forum posts to find what I need. However, my worry is that none of this stuff will work because of the new firmware. Here is all the info that I have on my phone:
Galaxy S5 AT&T US version (SAMSUNG-SM-900A)
Android 4.4.2
kernel version 3.4.0-2178781 [email protected] #1 Tuesday July 22
Build # KOT49H.G900AUCU2ANG3
SE for Android Status
Enforcing SEPF_SAMSUNG-SM-G900A_4.4.2_0018 Tuesday July 22
Security Software version:
MDF v1.0 Release 3
VPN v1.4 Release 1
Thanks all the pertinent info, I think.
Because the update was so new, I don't think there's a way to root this anymore. People keep telling me to use ODIN and to download an earlier ROM (and I now have ODIN and an earlier ROM -- hopefully from a good source, but I have no idea if it is), but my impression is that this latest AT&T "security" update keeps you from reflashing the ROM because of the bootloader lockout.
Any further help would be appreciated.
Thanks

CKR83 said:
...
Any further help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
As I told you, the only method working for me (because of towelroot non working) is cf auto root.
Check periodicaly here http://autoroot.chainfire.eu/ to see if your model is listed.
I had just a look and it's not listed yet.
If it is, flash by odin and look if root works.
If not, you've got to flash by odin the same rom again (keep your original file on pc), you'll loose nothing, and report this fails on chainfire to test other solution.
Good luck
Franky

CKR83 said:
Here is all the info that I have on my phone:
Galaxy S5 AT&T US version (SAMSUNG-SM-900A)
Android 4.4.2
kernel version 3.4.0-2178781 [email protected] #1 Tuesday July 22
Build # KOT49H.G900AUCU2ANG3
SE for Android Status
Enforcing SEPF_SAMSUNG-SM-G900A_4.4.2_0018 Tuesday July 22
Security Software version:
MDF v1.0 Release 3
VPN v1.4 Release 1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not only build number and kernel version, you need to check your Bootloader version with Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app (in the FIRMWARE INFO section).
Bootloader version is one of the important info to check when you are going to root or flashing custom rom.

vndnguyen said:
Not only build number and kernel version, you need to check your Bootloader version with (in the FIRMWARE INFO section).
Bootloader version is one of the important info to check when you are going to root or flashing custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey that looks like a great utility. Thanks! The bootloader is G900AUCU2ANG3
Does that help any? People keep telling me I need to use ODIN and flash this, that or the other thing. Those comments would probably be more helpful if I knew more about this stuff, but my reading has lead me to believe that ODIN won't work with certain version of the bootloader. Or is that wrong?

CKR83 said:
Hey that looks like a great utility. Thanks! The bootloader is G900AUCU2ANG3
Did you every get your post July 2014 AT&T GS5 rooted?
If so, please drop me an email.
Thanks
TPG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

No unfortunately not....
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using XDA Free mobile app

In anticipation for Sony's Lollipop Update

1. Is it advised to gain root NOW prior to the forthcoming Sony Lollipop OTA?
Point being if I don't root and I update to the latest forthcoming lollipop ROM from Sony then will it become a difficulty to gain root via the current downgrade method of rooting.. Or will downgrading from Sony's lollipop ROM be easily achieved via flashing .93 from flastool for instance.
My idea being can I remain unrooted and update via forthcoming ota from Sony and still achieve root via the current root methods of downgrading.
2. If I gain root now though, and lose ota facility because of root then will i be able to flash the latest official Sony lollipop ROM via flashtool manually and still retain root?
Sorry for any repetition above it's crazy late here. I've been itching to root but have been holding off in anticipation of an imminent Sony lollipop release... After some thought on the questions I post above I'm trying to determine if it's best to root now to prevent a potentially unrootable Sony lollipop rom?
Thanks in advance

1. Will downgrade from lollipop be possible? I have seen both happing with other devices so could go either way. No guarantees because we just don't know yet.
2. There is no downside to rooting now. Once you're rooted you don't want to install any official OTA anyway. You could lose root or even damage the device (we don't know yet). What you want to do is flash Pre - rooted firmware which you can download in the forums here (usually you get updates sooner than through OTA this way)
It's like a whole new world once you familiarised yourself with the possibilities.

Root is recommended you don't have any downside. If you want the ota update so bad you can still decide to flash your current software again. Though this I would not recommend since there is a possibility that you will be stuck in lollipop like clouds5 said (if no downgrade possible) .I don't think this will be happening since Sony until now is not really restricting users to flash official firmware. Hell they even encourage bootloader unlock officially. That said, just root and the enjoy the countless advantages.

As another alternative, and only because it hasn't been pointed out, you could also try to simply remain confused. The challenge in this is in hopefully coming to a point of peace with your circumstance by no longer worrying about it. I've been awake for far too long and have been sleep deprived over the past days, thus having no business making posts like this and accepting ir as innapropriate, but the general philosophy expressed remains solid ?
Since i don't have it in my signature, don't forget to hit "Thanks" ?

[email protected]
I will proceed to root now to prevent an unrootable Sony lollipop OTA ROM - which is incredibly likely given chanfires views on the difficulties of rooting lollipop "specifically devices with locked bootlaoders."
Given we would all like to retain our DRM keys for when reverting to stock based ROMs I think I've come to my conclusion.
Thanks for your thoughts, it has certainly helped to proceed with rooting now (with I've been itching to do) rather than wait patiently for Sony's lollipop OTA (which could become a hindrance, now that I've fully understood the 'potential' for an unrootable lollipop ROM.)

I like your signature ;o)

dillalade said:
[email protected]
I will proceed to root now to prevent an unrootable Sony lollipop OTA ROM - which is incredibly likely given chanfires views on the difficulties of rooting lollipop "specifically devices with locked bootlaoders."
Given we would all like to retain our DRM keys for when reverting to stock based ROMs I think I've come to my conclusion.
Thanks for your thoughts, it has certainly helped to proceed with rooting now (with I've been itching to do) rather than wait patiently for Sony's lollipop OTA (which could become a hindrance, now that I've fully understood the 'potential' for an unrootable lollipop ROM.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jeah it is very unlikely that L will get root since it has already been obtained and the bounty is fulfilled. So there is no real motivation to keep working on it for this device. And also like Clouds5 said you will probably get your hands on rooted stock lollipop sooner here than through the official OTA update. Or 1-2 days later. Enjoy it .

Root now or regret it later.
I'd recommend you root now. The ability to get OTA updates is not a big deal at all. If you root, you can still install stock roms which would be just like the OTA roms. Sometimes the unofficial stock roms come out sooner than the OTAs, if not, then very shortly after. I actually like SONY's stock rom. I'm rooted, and I plan to just use the stock rom with some root enabled modifications.
I'd say that most custom roms are just as good or better than official stock roms from OTA.
With my last phone, I regretted not rooting when I had the chance. Sure, I was okay with it overall, but I wished I had root so I could have my phone exactly the way I wanted. There were some really useful functions that I missed from having a rooted phone, like screen-off music player controls. I missed being able to tether without the carrier knowing.
Some companies are making it harder and harder to root, so I say root now while you can.
If you root now, you're in control. If you wait for OTA, who knows.